Norths Key Protagonists In Race For Shield Honours

Round 9 Preview It is shaping as a three horse race for first round honours. Unbeaten Upper Hutt, Northern United and Marist St. Pats remain in contention with three rounds of the Swindale Shield remaining. Of the trio, Norths appear to have the inside running by virtue of their comparatively easier run home than the other two.

Norths will be expected to brush aside fading Johnsonville at home at Porirua Park this weekend and then go on to beat Avalon and Tawa. However Upper Hutt and MSP have still got to play each other, while MSP’s last three opponents read Western Suburbs, Petone and Upper Hutt in that order. Upper Hutt should beat Hutt Old Boys Marist at Maidstone Park this week and then go on to beat Old Boys-University, so their last round showdown with MSP looms as a virtual grand final for them.

The match of the round this week will undoubtedly be the MSP-Wests clash at Rugby League Park. Wests have emerged from recent seasons of gloom to be a real threat this year. Their only losses have been to Upper Hutt (22-13) in round two and to Norths (17-5) last week, and their encounter with Norths will have put them in good stead to topple MSP and end the scarlet challenge.

Meanwhile the race for the top eight is still equally as fervent heading into round nine. Only three points separate eighth placed Johnsonville and eleventh placed Oriental-Rongotai, meaning bonus points from here on in will probably determine who goes through to the Jubilee Cup.

While Johnsonville and HOBM (tenth place) tackle Norths and Upper Hutt respectively this week, Tawa (ninth) travels to Kilbirnie Park to play Poneke (seventh) and Ories hosts Avalon (sixth) at the Polo Grounds. The remaining clash pits wooden spooners OBU against fifth placed Petone at the Petone Recreation Ground. A win to the Villagers will secure their Jubilee Cup berth, with MSP and Wests still to play.